4 things to know about the weather
- Light rain Monday
- Briefly milder
- Solid soaking
- Another plunge late week
Hopefully, you were able to enjoy a sunny and surprisingly mild Sunday because the week ahead won't be much to write home about.
Clouds will roll in quickly Monday morning and periods of light rain are expected for much of the daylight hours. Temperatures will start in the 30s in the morning and stay in the 40s for much of the day before South winds eventually push them above 50° late in the afternoon.
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An insulated raincoat is strongly recommended. The rain will end around sunset and some clearing will take place early Monday evening allowing temperatures to drop into the low 40s by Tuesday morning.
Rain is likely again Tuesday but much later in the day. There could be a few sprinkles before noon and a shower or two before dinner but the steady rain won't arrive until well after dark. Depending on how long we can stay dry, temperatures should get close to 60° for most of us Tuesday afternoon.
Weather radar
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Tracking this week's rain chances
Wednesday should be our biggest rainfall in over two months. Moderate to heavy rain looks likely from late Tuesday night until early Wednesday evening. Rain totals of 1.5 inches to 2 inches are likely.
In addition to being wet, Wednesday will be mild and breezy with temperatures near 60° with southwest winds turning to the northwest by early afternoon. That change in wind direction is the passage of another strong cold front. Temperatures will plummet at sunset and there will be a chance for a brief period of wet snow just before midnight.
Snow accumulations in the D.C. metro area will be limited to half an inch or less, but Northern Maryland and the Shenandoah Valley might get 1-3 inches. Bitter cold will follow the front leaving Thursday and Friday mid-winter cold once again.
Highs on Thursday, even with plenty of sunshine, will barely reach 40° and most of the area will stay below 40° on Friday afternoon. For the weekend, Saturday looks chilly and dry while Sunday will be a bit milder with a chance of rain.
10-day forecast
Quickcast
TODAY:
Cloudy
Rain Likely
Rainfall Around 0.20"
Wind: South 6-12 mph
Chance Of Rain: 100%
HIGHS: 50° - 55°
TONIGHT:
Rain Ends Early
Some Evening Clearing
Chilly
Wind: Southwest 4-8 mph
Chance Of Rain: 20%
LOWS: 40° - 45°
TUESDAY:
Mostly Cloudy, Milder
Mainly Dry Morning
Rain By Evening
Wind: South 6-12 mph
Chance Of Rain: 60%
HIGHS: 56° - 62°
WEDNESDAY:
Cloudy, Milder Breezy
Rain, Heavy At Times
Rainfall: 1.0"- 1.5" Likely
Chance Of Rain: 100%
Wind: West/Northwest 15-25 mph
HIGHS: 56° - 62°
THURSDAY:
Mostly Sunny
Blustery, Much Colder
Daytime Chills: Mid-20s
Wind: Northwest 15-25 mph
Chance Of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 34° - 40°
Sunrise 7:15 Sunset 4:46
Average High: 50° Average Low: 36°